Halfmoon Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize
Our day started with another orange ball sunrise as we gently rocked to the rhythm of the sea. We had left the inner sanctuary of the lagoon during the night and crossed to the south of Turneffe Islands while on our way to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, some 40 miles away from Belize City as the crow flies. I should say, as the booby bird flies because we were about to go ashore to visit the nesting colonies of the red-footed booby bird and magnificent frigate. This crescent shaped island is easily one of the most beautiful places in Belize and attracts many snorkelers and divers because of the pristine remoteness of its reefs. It became the first reserve to be established in March, 1982 and is called the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument
We had several options and all day to indulge in any of them. Our guests eagerly set out on the path to observe the birds from an observation platform that allowed them to practically peer into the nests of these birds. All the while, the birds went about their daily rituals, not at all bothered by our presence. And then a bit of cool off time in the clear water off the beach and a chance to snorkel to seek out the schools of grunts, snappers and other colorful species that inhabited the coral patches. Even though the surface of the sea seemed to froth and churn, it didn’t deter our scuba divers and down we went, sinking into the blue-green water. A huge coral canyon opened up in front of us and after we swam through it, we found ourselves suspended over an abyss that plummeted to over 4,000 feet!
Late afternoon found us once again donning scuba tanks or masks and snorkels to catch a final glimpse of the beauty below or to swim with a giant manta ray that flipped water into the faces of our guests in a nearby Zodiac. And then to sip upon a “green flash cooler, a delicious beverage concocted by our very talented bartender, Steve Cochran, as we lounged on the sun deck with our eyes focused on the western sky. Goodbye, Belize; hello, Honduras.
Our day started with another orange ball sunrise as we gently rocked to the rhythm of the sea. We had left the inner sanctuary of the lagoon during the night and crossed to the south of Turneffe Islands while on our way to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, some 40 miles away from Belize City as the crow flies. I should say, as the booby bird flies because we were about to go ashore to visit the nesting colonies of the red-footed booby bird and magnificent frigate. This crescent shaped island is easily one of the most beautiful places in Belize and attracts many snorkelers and divers because of the pristine remoteness of its reefs. It became the first reserve to be established in March, 1982 and is called the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument
We had several options and all day to indulge in any of them. Our guests eagerly set out on the path to observe the birds from an observation platform that allowed them to practically peer into the nests of these birds. All the while, the birds went about their daily rituals, not at all bothered by our presence. And then a bit of cool off time in the clear water off the beach and a chance to snorkel to seek out the schools of grunts, snappers and other colorful species that inhabited the coral patches. Even though the surface of the sea seemed to froth and churn, it didn’t deter our scuba divers and down we went, sinking into the blue-green water. A huge coral canyon opened up in front of us and after we swam through it, we found ourselves suspended over an abyss that plummeted to over 4,000 feet!
Late afternoon found us once again donning scuba tanks or masks and snorkels to catch a final glimpse of the beauty below or to swim with a giant manta ray that flipped water into the faces of our guests in a nearby Zodiac. And then to sip upon a “green flash cooler, a delicious beverage concocted by our very talented bartender, Steve Cochran, as we lounged on the sun deck with our eyes focused on the western sky. Goodbye, Belize; hello, Honduras.
